MEA Digital Formed

Matthews/Evans/Albertazzi has formalized its relationship with Internet marketing company SendPartners after a nine-month alliance.

SendPartners' six staffers have moved into MEA's San Diego offices and will operate as a division of the agency under the name MEA Digital, said MEA president and CEO Jim Matthews. The SendPartners name will no longer exist.

Plans call for MEA Digital to operate as an independently owned business unit within MEA. It will be led by principals David Herscott, who was a co-founder of SendPartners; Rob Gaudio, director of digital media; and Brad Feuer, director of business development.

"They come with a background that is similar to ours," said Mat thews, adding that Herscott's experience includes stints at BBDO, Modem Media and MP3. The new division, whose services include Web design, e-mail and database marketing and search-engine optimization, will "dramatically enhance our digital-marketing capabilities," said Matthews.

MEA Digital will work exclusively with MEA, and the two will pursue business together, Matthews said.

"There are a lot of synergies between an agency like MEA and an agency like ours," said Herscott. "We can provide MEA clients with interactive services, and we can also offer our clients more traditional services."

MEA Digital is working on MEA accounts including Kodak's wide-format printers, JABRA Corp., Callaway Golf and the La Costa Resort and Spa. It also handles clients such as Wild Oats Markets, Greenfield Online and The Fruit Co.

Matthews/Evans/Albertazzi has formalized its relationship with Internet marketing company SendPartners after a nine-month alliance.

SendPartners' six staffers have moved into MEA's San Diego offices and will operate as a division of the agency under the name MEA Digital, said MEA president and CEO Jim Matthews. The SendPartners name will no longer exist.

Plans call for MEA Digital to operate as an independently owned business unit within MEA. It will be led by principals David Herscott, who was a co-founder of SendPartners; Rob Gaudio, director of digital media; and Brad Feuer, director of business development.

"They come with a background that is similar to ours," said Mat thews, adding that Herscott's experience includes stints at BBDO, Modem Media and MP3. The new division, whose services include Web design, e-mail and database marketing and search-engine optimization, will "dramatically enhance our digital-marketing capabilities," said Matthews.

MEA Digital will work exclusively with MEA, and the two will pursue business together, Matthews said.

"There are a lot of synergies between an agency like MEA and an agency like ours," said Herscott. "We can provide MEA clients with interactive services, and we can also offer our clients more traditional services."

MEA Digital is working on MEA accounts including Kodak's wide-format printers, JABRA Corp., Callaway Golf and the La Costa Resort and Spa. It also handles clients such as Wild Oats Markets, Greenfield Online and The Fruit Co.